Saginaw County Health Department officials have identified the outbreak as a result of shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. The quarantine was put into effect Aug. 31 and will remain in place until health department officials determine there is no more potential for infection.

“This outbreak seems to have peaked; no other cases were reported today or yesterday,” said John Cordell, public information specialist with the Michigan Department of Corrections.

The majority of the cases were reported from Aug. 27-30, with two cases on Sept. 2 and three cases on Sept. 3 confirmed. Cordell said that there are three staff members whose cases have yet to be proved as caused by STEC.

“We are working with the Health Department to determine how we would bring quarantined prisoners out of quarantine into the regular facility, to make sure we are not bringing any out too soon,” Cordell said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists symptoms for STEC like bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. Four prisoners have been transported to health care facilities for further treatment as of Sept. 3.

Staff members are being provided with information about the illness for their medical provider to give appropriate treatment.

“We have told those employees who are ill not to report to work and take precautions that will not expose others,” Cordell said.

Michigan prison facilities are inspected annually by officials, including unannounced visits to inspect food preparation areas. Health department officials are in charge of investigating the cause of the outbreak, which is unknown.

“We think they have ingested some food that was contaminated. We do not know how the bacteria were introduced,” Cordell said. “I have no cause to believe there are unsanitary conditions at the facility.”

Cordell confirmed that visits and activities within the facility are postponed until the quarantine is lifted to prevent the risk of infection. Visitors may confirm if the quarantine is lifted by contacting the Saginaw Correctional Facility at 989-695-9880.

For general information regarding the quarantine, call the public information line at 517-373-6391.